In case you personal an iPhone 13, must you improve to the iPhone 16 for its quicker efficiency, higher cameras and Apple Intelligence assist? Or must you wait one other 12 months?
Three years is a very long time within the tech world. The iPhone 13 launched in 2021 with cutting-edge specs. However in 2024, it’s displaying its age, particularly when in comparison with the iPhone 16. Discover out if that is the 12 months to improve in our in-depth shopping for information, which pits iPhone 16 versus iPhone 13.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13 comparability
Apple simply gave its non-Professional iPhone lineup the most important improve in the previous couple of years. As highlighted in our iPhone 16 assessment, shopping for the non-Professional iPhone makes extra sense this 12 months than standard. Whereas Apple’s latest iPhone packs some compelling upgrades, it doesn’t make your previous iPhone 13 any worse. The three-year-old telephone misses out on Apple Intelligence however helps all different main iOS 18 options. Plus, efficiency is nearly by no means an issue with older iPhones, due to Apple’s optimizations.
Given the whole lot, must you improve to the iPhone 16 out of your iPhone 13? Or must you stick with your previous iPhone for one more 12 months? Discover out on this comparability.
Desk of contents: iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13 comparability
Design: Identical look however iPhone 16 will get 2 new buttons
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: 147.6mm x 71.6mm x 7.80mm; 171 grams; IP68, aerospace-grade aluminum with color-infused glass again, second-gen Ceramic Protect (entrance), Motion button, Digital camera Management
- iPhone 13: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.65mm, 173 grams, IP68, aluminum with glass again, Ceramic Protect (entrance), ring/silent swap
Regardless of launching three years later, the iPhone 16 retains nearly the identical dimensions because the iPhone 13. There are minor variations, just like the iPhone 16 being 2 grams lighter and 0.15mm thicker. However these modifications are too small to be simply noticeable.
Probably the most important change on the entrance is the iPhone 16’s Dynamic Island, the interactive oval interface that replaces the notch on the prime of the display. On the rear, the iPhone 16’s vertical digital camera format is much like that of the iPhone X, differing from the iPhone 13.
Each telephones are constituted of aluminum, however the brand new iPhone makes use of a extra sturdy entrance glass. It additionally trades within the ring/mute swap in favor of the extra customizable Motion button. Plus, there’s the brand new Digital camera Management, which gives you with fast entry to the Digital camera app and its key controls.
Lastly, just like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 16 is available in a number of colours. Nevertheless, the latter makes use of snazzier hues that stand out over its predecessor.
Show: Brighter and extra environment friendly
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, 2,556 x 1,179 pixels, 60Hz refresh price, Haptic Contact, True Tone, Dynamic Island, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 1,000 nits typical brightness, 2,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimal brightness
- iPhone 13: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, 2,532 x 1,170 pixels, 60Hz refresh price, Haptic Contact, True Tone, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 800 nits typical brightness, 1,200 nits peak brightness
The iPhone 16 sports activities the identical measurement show because the iPhone 13. And whereas its decision is nearly the identical, it’s a considerably brighter panel. Apple says peak brightness hits 2,000 nits, 800 nits greater than the iPhone 13. This could present a greater viewing expertise in nearly all eventualities, together with direct daylight. Because the OLED display is extra environment friendly, iPhone 16 gained’t throttle the brightness beneath direct daylight as rapidly as iPhone 13.
Processor and storage: iPhone 16 is greater than 50% quicker than iPhone 13
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: A18, 3nm fab, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, new 16-core Neural Engine, as much as 512GB storage
- iPhone 13: A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, as much as 512GB storage
Don’t let the iPhone 16’s A18 chip, which packs the identical variety of CPU cores because the iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic, idiot you. Apple says its latest A-series SoC delivers a 50% enhance in CPU and GPU efficiency every. And regardless of this, it’s extra energy environment friendly, consuming much less battery to complete the identical duties extra rapidly.
The Neural Engine can also be greater than twice as quick, permitting for speedier machine studying and AI processing. Extra importantly, the iPhone 16 ships with 8GB of RAM, twice as a lot because the iPhone 13. This may assist the brand new telephone ship higher multitasking efficiency whereas protecting extra apps in reminiscence for longer.
One other underrated change on the iPhone 16 is the up to date inner format. This enables for higher warmth dissipation, enabling the telephone to offer higher sustained efficiency.
The quicker A-series SoC, Neural Engine and extra RAM are additionally the the reason why the iPhone 16 helps Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI-powered options that may start rolling out quickly. The iPhone 13 doesn’t assist Apple Intelligence.
Digital camera: Greater decision on iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: 48MP f/1.6 Fusion digital camera, sensor-shift stabilization; 12MP f/2.2 Extremely Vast; macro pictures, Good HDR 5, True Tone flash, Cinematic mode (4K HDR@30fps), Motion mode, spatial video recording, wind noise discount, customizable Photographic Types, Audio Combine; Entrance: 12MP digital camera with f/1.9 aperture, autofocus
- iPhone 13: 12MP f/1.6 major digital camera, sensor-shift stabilization; 12MP f/2.4 Extremely Vast, Good HDR 4, True Tone flash, Cinematic mode (1080p@30fps), Photographic Types; Entrance: 12MP digital camera with f/2.2 aperture
On paper, it’d seem to be the one distinction between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 16 is the latter’s 48MP major digital camera. However that’s not true. The iPhone 16 makes use of an even bigger major digital camera, permitting extra mild consumption. With Good HDR 5 and different processing enhancements, it takes notably higher footage than the iPhone 13.
The identical is true for the Extremely Vast sensor as nicely. The iPhone 16’s sensor contains a wider aperture for extra mild consumption. Plus, macro assist permits you to take footage with a brand new perspective by getting near the topic.
Different enhancements embody assist for spatial video recording, Motion mode for stabilizing video, and the flexibility to report 4K Cinematic movies. Apple’s latest iPhone additionally ships with customizable Photographic Types, so you possibly can tweak the picture processing to attain your required look.
Connectivity: iPhone 16 is healthier than iPhone 13 in nearly each approach
- iPhone 16: Emergency SOS by way of satellite tv for pc, Roadside Help by way of satellite tv for pc, Thread networking, excessive dynamic vary gyro, Crash Detection, twin eSIM slots, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB-C (USB 2 at 480Mbps), second-gen Extremely Wideband chip
- iPhone 13: Emergency SOS, Twin SIM assist, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, Lightning connector (USB 2 at 480Mbps), Extremely Wideband chip
The iPhone 16 brings notable connectivity upgrades over the iPhone 13. With satellite tv for pc connectivity, you need to use the iPhone 16 to contact emergency companies when out of community protection. Different security options embody a excessive dynamic vary gyroscope for automotive crash detection.
That’s not it, although. The iPhone 16 helps quicker Wi-Fi 7 and a more recent Bluetooth normal. It additionally ditches the Lightning port for USB-C, which has turn out to be the de facto port for all client electronics. So, you need to use the identical cable to cost your iPhone, iPad, MacBook and different units.
Lastly, the iPhone 16 makes use of a more recent Qualcomm modem, which allows quicker 5G speeds and higher connectivity in areas with spotty community protection.
Battery life: Longer lasting in iPhone 16
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16: As much as 22 hours of video playback, as much as 80 hours of audio playback; 25W MagSafe and Qi2 wi-fi charging assist
- iPhone 13: As much as 19 hours of video playback, as much as 75 hours of audio playback; 15W MagSafe and Qi2 wi-fi charging assist
Regardless of related dimensions and extra highly effective internals, Apple says iPhone 16 lasts longer than iPhone 13. That is probably as a consequence of a extra environment friendly show, modem and processor, which devour much less energy whereas delivering higher efficiency.
In addition to the longer battery life, the iPhone 16 helps 25W MagSafe wi-fi charging utilizing Apple’s new MagSafe wi-fi charger. This implies you possibly can prime up its battery rapidly when charging wirelessly.
Value: The identical
Picture: Apple
- iPhone 16: Begins at $799 for 128GB storage
- iPhone 13: Begins at $799 for 128GB storage
Apple launched the iPhone 16 three years after the iPhone 13. It packs enhancements in all the important thing areas, together with the digital camera, design, connectivity and battery life. But, it prices the identical as its predecessor, with a beginning price ticket of $799.
You possibly can improve to the 256GB variant, which you need to ideally do, by paying an extra $100. There’s additionally a 512GB variant ($1,099) if you’d like much more storage.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 13 conclusion: Improve is good however not obligatory
The iPhone 16’s quite a few enhancements make it an all-around improve from iPhone 13. Even if you happen to don’t care about efficiency or higher cameras, Apple Intelligence is a tempting improve issue. Plus, the longer battery life is all the time welcome. However must you improve from the iPhone 13 to iPhone 16? In case your previous iPhone is displaying its age and you might be sad with its digital camera or battery life, the improve is certainly price it.
Nevertheless, in case your utilization is primary and you’ll’t consider any issues along with your iPhone 13, stick with it for one more 12 months. If battery life is the one sore level, get it changed. That’s a less expensive and significantly better resolution than shopping for a brand new iPhone altogether. Extra importantly, Apple is planning some huge modifications for the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025. This contains launching a brand new slimmer “iPhone Air” or “iPhone Slim” mannequin and making a 120Hz ProMotion show normal throughout all iPhones.
If in case you have made up your thoughts about shopping for the iPhone 16 however are questioning if you happen to ought to go for the Professional mannequin, take a look at our iPhone 16 Professional versus iPhone 16 comparability to resolve.
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iPhone 16: Apple